Teenager dies at amusement park: investigation reveals shocking negligence
The negligence was known in advance: a serious lawsuit was filed this week against a Montana amusement park after 13-year-old Clayton Phillips fell from a ride and died. According to the lawsuit, staff approved safety checks despite missing seat belts on several seats.
The negligence was known in advance: a serious lawsuit was filed earlier this week against an amusement park in the state of Montana, USA, after 13-year-old Clayton Phillips fell from one of the rides, sustained critical injuries, and died. According to the lawsuit, site employees approved safety checks on the ride, even though some seats were missing seat belts.
In the tragic incident on June 7, Phillips boarded the "Flying Chairs" ride and was thrown from it at high speed from a height of about 30 feet. Medical teams evacuated the 13-year-old to the hospital, where doctors fought for his life for two weeks before he succumbed to his injuries.
The teenager's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit, revealing disturbing details about the conduct of operators. According to the claim, at least 10 seats suffered from serious defects, including missing safety components that were easily identifiable. Despite this, untrained employees allegedly allowed Clayton to sit in a seat without appropriate restraints. Investigators are also looking into whether the safety system failed during the ride's rapid rotation.
Michelle Jensen, owner of Midway West Amusements, claimed after the accident that the only precaution taken was instructing visitors not to use faulty seats. The lawsuit alleges that Jensen admitted to police that she knew of the issues and had ordered spare parts, yet the ride continued to operate as usual.
Furthermore, the inspection company Shady Acres inspected the ride twice in the month preceding the event and certified that there were no serious problems. Clayton's family is now seeking compensation from the local government, the amusement park, and the inspection company for damages, including funeral and medical expenses.
The lawsuit further claims that the local government held the authority to conduct reasonable inspections of the fairgrounds. Despite the severity of the alleged omissions, the state has currently declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence.
